Breaking Defense's Monday Morning Briefing

A News Roundup for the Week Ahead _________________________________________________________________________

A News Roundup for the Week Ahead XQ-58A—the right solution delivered in record time—proves affordability doesn't have to limit capability Presented by Kratos By assuming risk and decreasing costs to the customer, fundamental to our business model, Kratos developed the XQ-58A Valkyrie—a 3,000-mile strike unmanned attritable drone with manned-unmanned, swarm, or solo mission capabilities—from white paper to flight in 30 months. Learn more. South Korea boosts ties with Aussies; OKs $1 billion defense deal By Colin Clark The howitzer deal may help South Korea in the much larger competition for Australia's replacement for the M113 Armored Personnel Carriers.   'Elevating' hidden ideas: Inside the Army's Dragon's Lair invention contest By Andrew Eversden "Ideas are out there," Col. Joe Buccino said, referring to the 2 million-plus people who serve in the military. "It's just a matter of finding them."   Finland picks F-35 in $11B fighter battle By Valerie Insinna The F-35 handily won out over its competition in the capability assessment, scoring a 4.47 compared to the 3.81 of the second-place company.   Defense, climate and energy markets are inexorably linked. It's time to acknowledge it. By Aaron Mehta Iran and Russia are actively using economic markets for national security purposes. The US needs to think along similar lines if it wants to make headway on both defense and climate change issues.   New DARPA project explores microbes for bio-manufacturing in space By Theresa Hitchens The B-SURE bio-bugs program is a first baby step in using biology to create a space-based supply chain, reducing reliance on materials launched from Earth.   The Air Force's top civilian wants a drone wingman for the B-21 bomber By Valerie Insinna "What we want is something that can go operate with [the B-21]," said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.   In war plan prep against Iran, Israel seeking US air refueling assistance By Arie Egozi Israel's defense minister met today with US Defense secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss the situation with Iran.   FY22 defense bill puts a target on F-35 cost, with procurement hanging in the balance By Valerie Insinna The FY22 National Defense Authorization Act issues a challenge to the Pentagon: Lower F-35 sustainment costs, or the services won't be able to buy or fly as many as they want.   A potential full-year CR? Here's what defense leaders are saying By Aaron Mehta "We know what we have to do and I'd say it's 50/50 whether or not we're able to do it," Rep. Adam Smith said.   Coast Guard's Schultz gives 'full-throated' support for UN sea law treaty By Justin Katz Proponents say treaty would allow US to pressure other nations to join as well; opponents say it'll threaten national security interests.   What Russia might do in Ukraine: 5 scenarios By Lee Ferran While it is impossible to predict what Russian President Vladimir Putin has planned, any decision may not be as black-and-white as "to invade or not to invade."   Modernizing Army ground mobility with commercial derivatives By Breaking Defense [Sponsored] By leveraging a commercial truck platform for the Army's Infantry Squad Vehicle, GM Defense hasn't developed just one tactical vehicle, but a family of vehicles to meet multiple, tactical mission needs.   General Atomics unveils new 'Mojave' drone with 16 Hellfire missiles By Valerie Insinna While still seeking customers in the US military, General Atomics president Dave Alexander says several unnamed international parties are interested in latest deadly remotely controlled aircraft.   Pentagon creates new overseer for innovation: chief digital and artificial intelligence officer By Andrew Eversden The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, Defense Digital Service and Chief Data Officer will now report a new Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence officer   Newly public Planet aims for NRO contract, software investments By Theresa Hitchens Planet is hopeful that NRO not only will be interested in its current 50cm resolution SkySat constellation, but also its newest constellation, called Pelican, which will be operational in 2023, said co-founder Robbie Shingler.   Not enough US 'defensive capabilities' in Asia: US Army Japan commander By Andrew Eversden Citing China, North Korea and Russia, Maj. Gen. Joel Vowell said he'd "champion for […] a more integrated air and missile defense protection in the first island chain."   Echoing Hyten, Grady says Pentagon should stop over-classifying info By Justin Katz Adm. Christopher Grady appears poised to become the military's second highest ranking officer.   The UAE is buying the French Rafale. What does it mean for the F-35? By Chyrine Mezher Considering that French-UAE negotiations have dragged on for a decade, it is difficult to see the sudden agreement for so many aircraft at such a pivotal moment as coincidental.   NDAA pumps the brakes on programs to track moving targets By Theresa Hitchens Until a program-by-program review is provided by the Defense Department, the armed services committees would limit spending on each one to no more than than 75% of its planned annual budget.   Congress approves retirement of 160+ Air Force planes – with one notable exception By Valerie Insinna The A-10 lives, it BRRTs, it lives again!   Pacific Deterrence Initiative gets $2.1 billion boost in final NDAA By Andrew Eversden Congress rebuked the Pentagon for "improperly focused" budget request for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.   Navy stands up fire safety office at NAVSEA By Justin Katz The new NAVSEA office is being established in response to an estimated $6 billion spent in recent years to repair or replace fire-damaged vessels.   Space Force launches experimental sats to detect nukes, test laser communications By Theresa Hitchens Included among the STP-3 mission's payloads is NASA's Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD) aimed at enabling higher speed communications across the vast region of space between the Earth and Mars.   The Future Fight demands situational understanding across domains By Breaking Defense [Sponsored] In this brief Zoomcast with Ross Niebergall, vice president and chief technology officer for L3Harris, we discuss how JADC2 is evolving.   What would it take to defend Ukraine? Potentially, billions of dollars. By Mark Cancian Mark Cancian of CSIS takes a look at two strategies for US military deployment to deter Russia – and how realistic they may be.   Russians in the desert: Moscow seeks to upend the Middle East export market By Reuben Johnson At Dubai, Russia made no secret of its ambitions to push the US and Europe out of the regional market.   Pentagon tester to restrict info on weapons programs, raising transparency concerns By Valerie Insinna "I worry that this will end up [resulting] in a watered down version of the report that makes it more difficult for the press and the public to make sure that we are buying weapon systems that are effective and safe," said Mandy Smithberger of the Project On Government Oversight.   Key radar for identifying ICBM threats begins initial fielding: MDA By Justin Katz The milestone follows a series of 2020 setbacks due largely to the coronavirus pandemic.   Military survey results show need for advancing speed and resiliency for U.S. Space By Barbara Braun, Principal Director of Enterprise Systems Engineering Office, The Aerospace Corporation [Sponsored] Adapting for the future of space requires new ways of envisioning what "success" really means.   Biden to warn Putin off Ukraine but not threaten direct military response: Official By Lee Ferran A senior official says the US has prepared economic countermeasures, could rotate troops to European allies if they ask.   Breaking Defense 611 Broadway • New York, New York • 10012 unsubscribe